Manuscript Critique Services

Please go to my website - www.katekaryusquinn.com - for my updated critique services menu and also current specials.



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I love critiquing manuscripts. I love getting excited about a beautiful bit of writing. I love looking at it from all angles to figure out exactly why one piece of it doesn't seem to be working quite right. I love the process of tossing around ideas with another writer. I love the excitement of a big breakthrough when that "a-ha" moment happens and another bit of the story is unlocked.

If your manuscript is stuck, or you're getting conflicting advice from critique partners, or if you're just looking for a way to take it to the next level, then perhaps I can help.

Why Choose Me?

I have been a PitchWars mentor for three years now (you can see my most recent mentor blog post here) and I am currently the author of three young adult novels with HarperTeen.

So here's what I'm offering:

First Ten Pages Manuscript Critiques - $30

The first ten pages are what will grab an agent's or editor's attention. They need to be strong and compelling. I will give you in-line edits along with detailed notes to help you tighten and strengthen those pages. After that gets sent your way, I will remain available via email to clarify any questions you might have about the critique.

Full Manuscript Critique - .01/word (minus the words from the first ten pages)

I am only offering full manuscript critiques only to those who've already received a First Ten Pages Manuscript Critique and if time allows within my own schedule. 

Why? Because I want you to be happy and to feel that your money was well spent. The 10 page critique will give you a chance to see if my style of critique works for you.

I will also include - without additional charge - a query critique with every full manuscript critique. 

As with the first ten pages critique, I will give in-line edits along with extensive detailed notes. My big picture edits will cover: plot, pacing, character arcs, and the ever elusive voice. Smaller in-line edits are to point out specific points where dialogue might be weak, something might be unclear, or where the writing could be tightened up. These edits will NOT focus on grammar or spelling.

Partial Manuscript Critique

If you are looking for a partial manuscript critique - maybe the first 50 or 100 pages - please email me to discuss rates. Honestly, I think a full critique is more valuable because that way I am able to see the manuscript as a whole and consider the full plot and character arcs, and fully understand how all the pieces of your story come together. However, I understand that everyone is looking for something different, so please contact me and we can discuss it further.

Query Critique - $10

Need some extra eyes on just your query? I recommend you use online critique partners or message boards. However, if you need that one extra pair of eyes, I'll be happy to give you all my thoughts.

The Small Print

To get things started please email me at: kate.q.pitchwars@gmail.com  

All payments will go through PayPal. I will invoice you, which means in addition to my fee, you will pay a small fee to PayPal. As of January 1, 2015, the fee is 2.9%. Please go to the PayPal website for more information. For the First Ten Pages Critique payment will be required in full when the pages are sent. For Full Manuscript Critiques, half the payment will be due upon sending pages and the other half will be due when your critique is completed, but before the notes are sent to you.

Please send your manuscript in using industry standard formatting. This means: 1-inch margins all around, size 12 font (Times New Roman is my personal preference), double-spaced, with no extra spacing between paragraphs. All editing will be done using Microsoft Word's track changing function. If you don't have Microsoft Word let me know and we can try working around it with Google docs.

I am a young adult author, but I read widely and feel comfortable offering edits for many different age categories and genres. I am not a good match for Christian/Inspirational fiction, erotica, and non-fiction. If you aren't sure if I'm a good fit, feel free to email me and we can talk it out.

Receiving a critique from me is in no way a guarantee that you will find representation, be published, or become the next JK Rowling. I will do everything in my power to help you improve your manuscript, but sometimes even the best manuscripts don't find a home.

For Ten Page Critiques my turn around time is two weeks after receiving your pages. If I have a backlog, I will let you know when to send your pages and start the clock. The turnaround time for Full Manuscript Critiques will be no more than four weeks.

All submissions received are automatically assumed as copyrighted by you, the author. I will never reproduce your words without your written permission. I will not steal your ideas. If I feel like your manuscript is too similar to something that I am working on, I will pass on editing it. That being said, publishing is full of trends. If you write a book about witches, I cannot guarantee that I won't also write a witch book. If this is a big concern for you, maybe consider working with a freelance editor who is not also a writer.

By scheduling and paying for a critique sale you are agreeing to all these Terms and Conditions.